Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District plan to conduct prescribed burning operations next week at locations including Sawmill Peak, the Concow area and Challenge with ignitions planned Tuesday through Thursday, conditions permitting.
Approximately 400 acres are planned in the Sawmill Peak and Concow area, starting with approximately 106 acres of combined hand and machine piles and underburning Tuesday morning.
Work to prepare the unit being treated on Sawmill Peak for prescribed burning was completed by the Butte County Fire Safe Council. This is part of ongoing work for critical fuel reduction for community protection and reduce the risk of wildfire.
The remaining acreage in the area will include combined hand pile and underburning in the Concow area in units on the Rim, in the Basin and surrounding area as fuels and weather conditions allow.
The Butte County Resource Conservation District completed the work to prepare this unit for treatment as part of post-fire recovery and forest resilience work.
All of the units being treated are in areas either directly affected by or burned in the 2018 Camp Fire.
Smoke will be highly visible during these operations to the surrounding area, including the communities of Magalia, Paradise and Concow, as well as in the Sacramento Valley and California State Highway 70.
Firefighters also plan to continue work in the Challenge area next week, with approximately 300 acres of combined pile burning and underburning possible as fuels and weather conditions allow.
The operations are part of ongoing fuel reduction to protect the community of Challenge and the surrounding area. The community was evacuated and the area was threatened by the 2020 North Complex.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Concow, Magalia, Paradise, Jarbo Gap and Challenge, as well as Rim Road, Concow Road, California State Highway 70, La Porte Road and the surrounding area.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Rim Road, Concow Road and neighboring forest roads. Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.
During the evening smoke may settle in lower areas including Challenge and Concow. Individuals who are smoke sensitive in these areas are advised to monitor conditions and take precautions if needed.
There will also be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area, including on Rim Road, Concow Road, California State Highway 70 and La Porte Road. Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.
Area residents and visitors planning to recreate in or travel through the area are asked to be aware of their surroundings, be prepared for possible short-term smoke and reduced visibility, and to watch for vehicle traffic and firefighters working near roads.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout the operation.
